A detailed kinetic model was developed for the degradation of p-nitroaniline (PNA) by Fenton oxidation. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the role of pH, hydrogen peroxide and Fe2+ levels, PNA concentration and the temperature. The kinetic rate constants, k(ap), for PNA degradation at different reaction conditions were determined. The test results show that the decomposition of PNA proceeded rapidly only at pH value of 3.0. Increasing the dosage of H2O2 and Fe2+ enhanced the k(ap) of PNA degradation. However, higher levels of H2O2 also inhibited the reaction kinetics. The k(ap) of PNA degradation decreased with the increase of initial PNA concentration, but increased with the increase of temperature. Based on the rate constants obtained at different temperatures, the empirical Arrhenius expression of PNA degradation was derived. The derived activation energy for PNA degradation by Fenton oxidation is 53.96 U mol(-1). (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.